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Martin Stone – Papercrafter

Cardmaking • TV demos • Sketches • Creative inspiration

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These are the brands and tools I use in my projects. If you shop through my links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.

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Glassboard Studio

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Kingston Crafts

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Shop Alex Syberia US

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Waffle Flower Crafts

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New on the Blog

Create a Bright and Cheerful Butterfly Card with the Basket of Blooms Set from Simon Says Stamp

I’m Published… and You Can Read It Anywhere in the World! 🌍✨

Create an Elegant Floral Card with the Beautiful Peony Stamp Set from Altenew

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martinmayhem

Creative mayhem in every layer | TV Demo | Creator of #SketchMayhem | Teaming up with brands that embrace the creative mayhem.

Today I’m participating in a Simon Says Stamp Inst

Today I’m participating in a Simon Says Stamp Instagram hop, and we’re featuring the Beautiful Moments release! To start from the beginning of the hop, head to @simonsaysstamp!

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment at each stop for a chance to win a $25 gift card for the Simon Says Stamp store. Winners will be chosen randomly from the comments left on each hopper’s post. All winners will be announced on Simon’s Instagram feed at a later date.

Up Next: @mumcez
Previous post: @serendipity_designsbynicole

Here’s the full hop list so you don’t miss anyone:

@simonsaysstamp
@redsas
@icardink
@kailashcrafts
@karen_crafts10
@anchored_by_ink
@bibicameron
@enzam78
@kristinsluhan
@vallegirlcreations
@jenniferkotas
@serendipity_designsbynicole
@martinmayhem
@mumcez
@simeen.creates
@paper_crafting_elegance

For my project, I created this bright and cheerful “Hello Bestie” butterfly card using the Basket of Blooms set from the Beautiful Moments release. I wanted the sentiment to feel bold and central, with colourful butterflies fluttering all around it.

I stamped and coloured the butterflies in vibrant yellows, oranges, pinks and soft aqua tones, then popped them up with foam adhesive for dimension. The scattered stamped butterflies in pink help create movement across the card, and the bright card base really makes everything pop.

This release is packed with beautiful, versatile designs that are perfect for friendship cards, everyday greetings and uplifting makes like this one.

Be sure to hop along, leave a comment at every stop, and enjoy all the inspiration!

#SSSBeautifulMoments #SSSIGHop #SimonSaysStamp

✨ Card Making Hack: Don’t Waste the Offcuts ✨ One

✨ Card Making Hack: Don’t Waste the Offcuts ✨

One of my favourite little tricks when building floral clusters?

After I attach everything down, I trim off the excess…
and then I put it straight back on the card 👀

Instead of binning those pieces, I tuck them into small gaps to:

• Add extra interest
• Create balance
• Fill awkward empty spaces
• Make the design feel more intentional

In this one, I felt that top left corner needed a little something, and reusing the trimmed elements was the perfect fix.

It’s such a simple tweak but it elevates the finished card massively — and it makes your layout look fuller without adding bulk.

Try it on your next project and tell me if it changes the way you build your clusters 👇

#cardmakingtips #cardmakinghacks #handmadecards #floralcard #cardmakersofinstagram craftingtips ukcardmakers

Easy Peasy Peony 🌸 Dark to Light, No Drama Require

Easy Peasy Peony 🌸 Dark to Light, No Drama Required

Sometimes we make colouring way harder than it needs to be.

In this reel, I’m sharing my go-to dark-to-light technique for peonies – and the little trick that makes all the difference:

✨ Leave a thin white edge on your lightest layer.

That tiny strip of white creates a faux highlight without needing a white alcohol marker or a gel pen (because… not my favourite either 🙃). It instantly lifts the petals and gives them that soft, dimensional look.

I start in the centre with my darkest shade, then work my way out, getting lighter as I go. No complicated “the sun is over here” theory. No art-degree-level lighting breakdown.

Just:
Centre = dark
Outer petals = lighter
Leave a sliver of white
Done.

Honestly? You do you boo. Colouring should feel fun, not stressful. If it looks good to your eye, it is good.

Supplies used:
🌸 Altenew floral image
🖊 Altenew Artist Markers
🖤 Simple black sentiment strips
🎨 Ink splatter for a bit of drama

Let me know — are you team “carefully planned light source” or team “dark in the middle and hope for the best”? 😅

Hello crafty friends 🌸 Today I’m sharing this ele

Hello crafty friends 🌸

Today I’m sharing this elegant floral card created using the Beautiful Peony Bundle from @altenewllc — and I honestly think this might be one of my favourite peony designs ever.

I went for soft pink tones with deeper shading at the base of the petals to really create depth and dimension. The bold black sentiment strip and subtle splatter add just enough contrast to keep it feeling modern and clean.

If you love colouring florals, this set is an absolute dream to work with.

And… I have something special for you 👀

From Feb 27 – March 6, you can receive a FREE set of 6.5" x 8.5" Storage Pockets (10 pieces/set) (worth $13.99) on orders over $99.

Here’s how:
• Add the Storage Pockets to your cart
• Use code MARTINPOCKETS at checkout
• Or shop via the link in my bio (code automatically applied)

Please note:
– One-time use only
– Cannot be combined with other order codes

If you’ve been eyeing up a few Altenew goodies, this is the perfect time to treat yourself and get your storage sorted too.

Let me know in the comments — are you team bold florals or soft and subtle? 🌿

#altenew #altenewllc #beautifulpeony #floralcard #cardmaking #handmadecard #alcoholmarkers #cardmakinginspiration #papercraft

You don’t need a complicated design to create some

You don’t need a complicated design to create something beautiful.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is go back to basics.

In this session, I start exactly here —
simple shapes.
Clean structure.
No overthinking.

Because when you strip a layout back to circles, rectangles and banners, something shifts. It stops feeling overwhelming. It starts feeling possible.

That’s the foundation of Stretch Your Sketches — learning how one simple framework can unlock endless card designs.

If you’ve ever stared at a blank card base wondering where to start… this is your starting point.

Join me at the Card Maker Success Summit
📅 Feb 26 – March 01

Let’s build confidence from the ground up.

👉 Register here: https://301093–stampmesomelove.thrivecart.com/cart-cmss-vip-aap-reg/
VIP options available.

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Please note that this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my audience. Your support helps keep this site running. Thank you!

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